Afterthought #19 – Working Hands on Display

What started as a casual comment almost ten years ago (“We could do a book together!”) resulted in a gratifying collaboration with photographer Summer Moon Scriver and a couple dozen people who work with their hands.

Now, many of those hands, and excerpts from their stories, are featured in an exhibit at the Washington History Museum in Tacoma, WA.Thanks to the commitment and organizing skill of Stephanie Lile, the museum’s Head of Education (and an alum of my MFA writing program), the support of Redmond Barnett (Head of Exhibits), and the artistry of SueSan Chan (Exhibits Designer/Project Manager), framed images and printed excerpts will grace the walls of a small gallery in the museum through May 2014.

If you’re anywhere close to the area, it’s worth a visit to Tacoma’s Museum District that includes the History Museum, Tacoma Art Museum, and the Museum of Glass. You can go to all three for one low price with a Tacoma Museum Pass, and on the Third Thursday of each month, the History Museum is open until 8pm with FREE ADMISSION from 2-8pm.

Hands at Work at History Museum

Look what a bunch of hard-working hands

can do!

Beginning in January 2012, I instituted posting an “Afterthought” on the last day of each month, fashioned after a practice in some Quaker meetings. After meeting for worship ends, some groups continue in silence for a few more minutes during which members are invited to share thoughts or reflect on the morning’s worship. I’ve adopted the form here for brief reflections on headlines, quotes, comments overheard, maybe even bumper stickers.